Understanding Absence Without Leave - AWOL

Any individual in the military must fully understand what "absence without leave" entails.

You can be charged with "absence without leave" for the following:

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1. If you fail to go to an appointed place when you are supposed to.

This means that if someone with authority over you gives you an order to be at a specific place of duty at a certain time and you do not comply, you can be charged with "absence without leave."

2. You left your place of duty without authorization.

You were fully aware that you were ordered to be at a specific place at a specific time but you chose on your own accord to disobey the order by leaving.

3. You took unauthorized leave from your unit or place of duty when you knew you had been ordered to be there at a certain time and place.

Your absence was not authorized by anyone in a position of authority. Additionally, your absence was for a specific period of time. It will also be noted if your unauthorized leave came to an end because you were apprehended.

4. You will be considered absent without leave if you abandon your watch or guard.

If you were assigned to a position of watch, guard, or duty, and you abandoned your post with no proper authorization - thus intentionally abandoning your guard, watch, or post - you will be charged with absence without leave.

5. You abandoned your place of duty, unit, or organization so you would not have to participate in field exercises or maneuvers.

If you did this for a period of time, knowing that your absence would be during this period, and you did so with the intent of avoiding both exercises and maneuvers, then you most likely will be charged with absence without leave.

These are just the crude basics of "absence without leave." Many new recruits or potential recruits believe that absence without leave means being gone for a long period of time and not coming back until apprehended. As you can see, the military laws concerning this are far more complex and detailed.

Understanding Absence Without Leave - AWOL

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